Novelty bottle cap

ABSTRACT

A cap assembly for a container, particularly a bottle for dispensing an atomized spray of a fragrance product has an inner member configured to engage the neck of the product container. An outer member of the cap assembly has a cover portion and a retainer portion, the retainer portion being axially retained on the inner member, but free to rotate thereabout. The cover portion is supported on the inner member by a bearing so that the cover portion can rotate freely on the container. The cover portion may be imprinted with graphic indicia to provide a pleasing and/or intriguing effect when the cover portion spins.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the field of fluid containers and, more particularly, to a novelty cap for a fragrance dispensing container.

2. Background

Containers for fragrance and cosmetic products come in a wide variety of styles. Containers for such products are often highly stylized and the appearance of the container is an important factor in consumer purchasing decisions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a novelty cap for a container, particularly a bottle for dispensing an atomized spray of a fragrance product. In an exemplary embodiment, the cap has an inner member configured to engage the neck of the product container. An outer member of the cap has a cover portion and a retainer portion, the retainer portion being axially retained on the inner member, but free to rotate thereabout. The cover portion is supported on the inner member by a bearing so that the cover portion can rotate freely on the container. The cover portion may be imprinted with graphic indicia to provide a pleasing and/or intriguing effect when the cover portion spins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is side elevation view of a container incorporating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the container cap shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cap assembly taken through line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the retainer portion shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the cover portion shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 6 a-6 e illustrate graphic indicia that may be applied to the cover portion of the cap assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a container 10 for a product such as cologne or perfume that is dispensed with a pump-action atomizer. While the present invention is described in this context, it is not limited in this regard and may be employed with containers for different products and with different types of containers. Container 10 includes a decorative collar 12. A cap assembly 14 is fitted to the top of the container and will be described in greater detail below.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cap assembly 14. In this view, only the cover portion 16 of the assembly is visible.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of cap assembly 14 taken through line 3-3 of FIG. 2. The construction of cap assembly 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4-5 in addition to FIG. 3. The top portion of container 10 includes a neck portion 11 and a pump-action atomizer 13 disposed therein. Cap assembly 14 comprises an outer member 20 and an inner member 22. The outer member 20 includes cover portion 16 as previously mentioned and retainer portion 18. The cover portion and the retainer portion may be formed as two separate pieces that are snapped or otherwise secured together as described below or outer member 20 may be formed as a single piece.

The inner wall of inner member 22 has a plurality of protrusions or beads 24 that mate within groove 23 in the neck portion 11 of container 10. The cooperation of beads 24 and groove 23 holds the cap assembly securely in place on container 10, but allows it to be readily removed when desired.

Retainer portion 18 fits within cover portion 16 and is held in place by circumferential ridge 26. The retainer portion is further located by a plurality of tabs 28 that fit within recesses 30 in the cover portion. The retainer portion can thus be snapped into the cover portion where it is secured axially. Relative rotation of the retainer portion and cover portion is prevented by the fit of tabs 28 within recesses 30.

Retainer portion 18 includes a plurality of clips 32 disposed on its inner perimeter. These clips cooperate with circumferential flange 34 on inner member 22 to axially capture the outer member 20 on the inner member. Clips 32 are angled upwardly so that the outer member can be snapped over the circumferential flange 34.

Cover portion 16 has a centrally located projecting pin 36 that rests within a recess or journal 38 that is centrally located on the top of inner member 22. Pin 36 and recess 38 comprise a bearing assembly that allows the outer member to spin freely on the inner member.

Cover member 16 may be decorated with graphic indicia on the top surface and/or side wall thereof. These indicia may be designed to provide a pleasing and/or intriguing appearance when the outer member is spun on the inner member. Some examples of graphic indicia that may be applied to the top surface of cover portion 16 are shown in FIGS. 6 a-6 e. Each of these creates a mesmerizing optical illusion when rapidly rotated.

It will be recognized that the above-described invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims. 

1. A cap for a container comprising: an inner member configured to engage a neck of a container; an outer member having a cover portion and a retainer portion, the retainer portion axially retained on the inner member, but free to rotate thereabout; the inner member and the outer member having cooperating bearing means for supporting the outer member on the inner member for rotation.
 2. The cap of claim 1 wherein the bearing means comprises a centrally located projection on an inner surface of the cover portion and a centrally located recess in an upper surface of the inner member.
 3. The cap of claim 1 wherein the cover portion and the retainer portion of the outer member are separate pieces.
 4. The cap of claim 3 wherein the cover portion and the retainer portion are configured to snap together.
 5. The cap of claim 1 wherein the inner member has a generally cylindrical wall portion with a circumferential flange.
 6. The cap of claim 5 wherein the retainer portion of the outer member has a generally annular configuration with an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter and includes a plurality of clips disposed on the inner perimeter extending inwardly below the circumferential flange of the inner member so as to be axially retained thereunder.
 7. The cap of claim 1 wherein the cover portion of the outer member includes graphic indicia.
 8. The cap of claim 7 wherein the graphic indicia create an optical illusion when the outer member rotates. 